Police: Drunk Borough Man Rode ATV on Front Street

A Hellertown man stands accused of operating an ATV on Front Street in the borough while intoxicated early on the morning of April 3, according to stories published by both the Morning Call and WFMZ News.

According to police information cited by the Morning Call, Eric S. Schaller, 27, of the 100 block of Ackerman Street, was spotted by an officer on patrol after he allegedly blew through a stop sign at Water Street while headed south on Front Street at 2:23am.

Schaller, who allegedly was operating the ATV without lights, proceeded south on Front and turned west into the woods at the intersection of Front and Saucon streets after the officer activated his vehicle's lights and siren, according to the police information cited in the story.

After entering the woods, police say Schaller rolled the ATV, damaging it and injuring himself.

When police caught up to him, they discovered that Schaller was displaying signs of intoxication, including glassy eyes and slurred speech, according to the WFMZ story.

He also failed a breath test and was taken to St. Luke's Hospital for a blood test that determined he was drunk, according to police cited in the Morning Call story.

Schaller has been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving, careless driving, driving without lights to avoid arrest, driving at an unsafe speed, driving an uninsured vehicle, driving an unregistered vehicle, fleeing police, running stop signs and driving an uninspected vehicle.

After being arraigned before District Judge James Narlesky early Tuesday, he was released on $2,500 bail, according to the Morning Call.

His preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 11, WFMZ reported.